Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-01-05

principal feature Of all the gatherings was
Inc making Of introductions. In point OF
ooks the body will be quite up to the
average. The membersl are not very
as TO their plans. They talk
, good deal about. the speakership, but
heir ideas are as vet Uniformed.
now THEY STAND.
The very latest estimate OF the House puts
The number Of Democrats at 80, OF Repuoll-
cars at Sc. and OF Independents att 8. This
makes the complement OF III members.
AS YOU have been Informed, several OF tue
are pledged to support the
Democrats in all public measures. The IN.
teresting question Is whether they wlll
consider the choice OF Speaker public
Many Democrats claim that that
party will organize the House without trou-
Bile. Others say some concessions must be
made 10 the Independents. A noticeable
TACT Ia that the list OF members az published
by the keeper Of the Capitol puts all the
Independents in both houses as Democrats.
SELECTING SEATS.
Most OF The members have secured seat'.
and tLey have IN some cases gone up ana
had look at the arena where they all ex-
pect TO win honor and renOwn. There are
blsZing fires in the legislative halls, and
hustle. The large number Of
oflice-seekers is feature OF the day before
the session begins. All parts OF the State
are represented ia the persons OF these,
and among them are not few 0ne-armed
or one-legged x.Confederates, who GER
tainly will be provided for, as far as possible.
REPUBLICAN PLANS AND PURPOSES.
The Signai, the new Republican paper
published here, may be assumed 10 voice
the sentiments Of that party and its pur-
roses in the campaign, which, though 1t
ends two years hence, has really begun. II
announces as the party's aims a protec'
tive tariff, the passage OF the Blair bill, the
repeal OF the county-goyernment system,
the modification Of the pubic-road laws.
increasing from three 10 five the number OF
the Supreme Court judges, the increase OF
The salaries OF the Supreme and Superior
Court judges. the enlargement OF the iu-
risdiction OF justices OF the peace, the abo-
itOn Of the pententiary, and the passage
81 law requiring each county to take
care OF its own criminals.
AN ELECTION CONTEST.
1t is likely that there will be very lively
contest in both the Senate and House over
he matter OF the seats OF the senator and
from Craven county. 1t will
be remembered that at the count OF the
votes by the Canvassing Board OF that
county the precinct OF James City. which
polls very heavy negro vote, was thrown
DCt on account Of alleged irregularities and
OF voters at the polls. The
matter caused some stir and feeling at that
lime. IL will come up before the Legisli-
lure, which Is the court Of appeal in such
matters. There are also rumOrs OF civil
suit. in the Superior Court. Some Demo
cratic papers attack the commissioners oil
Craven county for throwing out the votes.
VERY COLD WEATHER.
The winter OF 1885 80 was the coolest in
many years-some said in hall century.
This " eek has been marked by bitter wea-
Their, closely approaching that OF last win
ter, when 90 to A. above zero was reached.
Yesterday morning at O'Clock the tempera-
ture here was 90. aud this morning at the
same hour it was 50. The ice Is quite good
for skating.
SOLDIERS HOME.
1t il probable that an attempt will be
made to establish a soldiers home ia this
State for disabled eX.COnfederatcs. The
claim is made that the appropriation OF
$1,000 per annum, now paid out In PEN
sions TO such soldiers, will be more adgan-
tageously used In maintaining such home.
1t appears, however, that the present plan
gives satisfaction, and that the only COM
plant is that the $3.50 which each pen-
sioncr receives l. too small sum. The
pension appropriation may, perhaps, he
slightly increased; ii will hardly be dinin-
ished.
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE
was put in the bands OF the Public Printer
Yesterday. 1t will be kept secret until II
il read to the Assembly. 1t contains SOM
5000 words. The Legislature meets to-
morrow at noon. The reminder OF the
day will be consumed in the organization,
&c, and the Governor does not expect his
message 20 be read until Thur,dly. He
declines TO allow any extracts from 1t 10 be
made III advance OF its reading.
CONFERENCE
At o'clock this evening the lndepend
enls OF the House had a conference, at
which ten were present. As there are
only eight announced Independents in the
House, this was rather curious. Il was
the third conference OF the day. IL was
decided that the Independents should take
the name OF Independent Democrats. A
motion was made that they nominate
regular candidate for Speaker. This
was put to the vote and lost by a
large majority. 1t was then decided
unanimously to recommend j. Il. Webster
for Speaker, and not TO 90 into the caucus
OF either tho Democrats or Republicans,
but leave matters TO the action OF those
parties and see which one accepted Web.
ster. The names Of persons for principal
and assistant clerk were also recommend
ed. A formal vote was also taken on the
question Of maintaining an independent at
titude and organization, and 1t was dnani-
mously agreed to maintain that position.
At a caucus OF the Democrats OF the
House this evening Colonel Il. VI. Holt pre-
sided. Fifty.fOur were present. Among
these were two dependents-Long, OF
Cabarrus, and Calling, Of Gates. The eau
Gus nominated Lee 5. Overman, OF Rowan,
for Speaker, and then adjourned until $3.50
O'Clock tomorrow morning.
The Republican caucus this evening was
presided over by Elisha White. Many
speeches were made. The recommends
ton Of J. X. Webster for Speaker, made
bv the Independents, was laid before the
caucus, and it was decided to support him.
The drift Of The Republican speeches was
that the independents must be encouraged
as much as possible. This IS in the line
with the Radicals plan during the cam
Daign OF always using every influence
against the regular Democrats The Re-
publican caucus adjourned until to'mor-
row morning.
Hon. Daniel l.. Russell is critically i'll at
his home at Wilmington.
Josephine Sheppard was seized with fit
at Newberne yesterday, fell In the fire, and
was burned TO death.
Considerable ice was harvested here to.
day. The weather moderated somewh1t,
but is yet much below the freezing point.
The roads are as hard as ice. There are
signs Of snow this evening.
A. Slaughter, general merchant, Of Kin
stop, has made an assignment to Willllm
Griswoid.
To-day George Green, Jr., and John
T.. IIu,Sey, OF Craven county, arrived here.
They are the Republican contestants for
seats in the Legislature from that county,
which were given 10 T.. Clark and W. Il.
Lane, Democrats.
At Goldsboro' yesterday evening the
residence occupied 10y the Messrs. Griffin
MAS burned. Loss, $4,000; insurance,
$1,000.
AshsvtIie's Manufacturing Plants.
iBy telegraph 70 the Dispstch.l
CHATTANOOGA, January "A dispatch to
the TradeSmdn from Asheyille, n. C.,